Down Syndrome Association of Northern Virginia

What Down Syndrome Association of Northern Virginia does

Down Syndrome Association of Northern Virginia (DSANV) is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization founded in 1972, headquartered in Fairfax, Virginia, that supports individuals with Down syndrome and their families across Northern Virginia. The organization serves six counties (Arlington, Fairfax, Fauquier, Loudoun, Prince William, Stafford) and four independent cities (Alexandria, Fairfax, Falls Church, Manassas, Manassas Park), functioning as the primary regional resource hub for the Down syndrome community. DSANV operates through a program portfolio spanning education (Family Learning Lab, Phonics the R-igh-t Way literacy pilot, monthly informational sessions), health and wellness (fitness classes, Inclusive Martial Arts, 321 Go!, iCan Bike and iCan Swim camps in partnership with iCan Shine), social engagement (Buddy Walk, Mom's Night Out, D.A.D.S. fathers' group, social meet-ups, dine-outs), life skills (Career Development via St. Lucy Food Project, Cooking Club at Anna Sudha Community Kitchens, Adapted Art, Jewelry Making, Dash and Scout Independent Living Retreat), and curated resource directories covering new parent, education, medical, adult, and family topics.

The organization's underlying technology is a standard Squarespace website platform with email newsletter infrastructure and virtual event delivery — no proprietary technology, API, mobile app, or AI/ML components are present. Website services are donated by Claritas Creative as in-kind support. The revenue model relies on three streams: individual and business donations (including one-time, recurring monthly, vehicle, and product/service donations), per-individual annual membership dues, and tiered corporate sponsorships (Diamond and Sapphire annual partners such as Community Church). No program fees are publicly disclosed. The organization is governed by an independent board of directors under Executive Director Alain Noriega (appointed November 2025) and Board President Brian Reuwer (appointed April 2026), with no parent company, private equity, or venture capital ownership.

DSANV's go-to-market is community- and event-driven: the flagship annual Buddy Walk (scheduled for its 22nd year on October 10, 2026 at Lake Fairfax Park) anchors fundraising and awareness, supplemented by a year-round calendar of in-person programs, virtual informational sessions, website self-service resources, email newsletters, social media, and earned media placements (including a Good Morning Washington feature). The 2025-2030 Strategic Plan formalizes intent to expand programming depth and geographic reach across the full service territory while maintaining operational excellence.

Name

Down Syndrome Association of Northern Virginia

Legal name

Down Syndrome Association of Northern Virginia

Website

https://dsanv.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

1972

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

Down Syndrome Association of Northern Virginia (DSANV) is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit founded in 1972 that serves individuals with Down syndrome and their families across six counties and four cities in Northern Virginia through educational programs, health and wellness activities, social events, and resource directories, funded by donations, memberships, and corporate sponsorships.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Headquarters

HQ city

Oakton

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Others

Revenue model

1. Donations and Charitable Contributions: Individual and business donations fund DSANV programs and services. The organization accepts one-time and monthly recurring gifts, vehicle donations, and product/service donations.
2. Membership Dues: Annual membership fees required per individual. Members must reside in service counties and can vote during annual meetings. Membership is per individual and must be renewed annually.
3. Corporate Sponsorships: Diamond and Sapphire annual partner sponsorships provide corporate funding. Sponsorships include various tiers (Diamond, Sapphire) with benefits for corporate partners.

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels7 records

Core offering

DSANV delivers a comprehensive suite of community programs and resource directories for individuals with Down syndrome and their families across Northern Virginia. Offerings span educational programs, fitness and wellness classes, social engagement events, career and life-skills development, and self-advocacy training, complemented by curated resource hubs for new parents, education, medical, adult, and family support. The organization also hosts the annual Buddy Walk as its signature awareness and fundraising event.

Product overview

Down Syndrome Association of Northern Virginia (DSANV) is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization that offers a comprehensive portfolio of programs and resources supporting individuals with Down syndrome and their families across Northern Virginia. The organization's offerings span multiple categories: educational programs (Family Learning Lab, Phonics the R-igh-t Way, Informational Sessions), health and fitness programs (Fitness Classes, Inclusive Martial Arts, 321 Go!, iCan Swim Camp, iCan Bike Camp), social and community programs (Buddy Walk, Social Meet Ups, Mom's Night Out, D.A.D.S., DSANV Dine-Outs), life skills programs (Career Development, Cooking Club, Adapted Art Classes, Music Classes, Jewelry Making, Dash and Scout Independent Living Retreat), and resource directories (New Parent Resources, Education Resources, Medical Resources, Adult Resources, Family Resources). The organization primarily operates through its website platform, with programs delivered at various community locations across six counties and four cities in Northern Virginia.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Family Learning Lab

Quantifiable outcome

• 22nd Annual Buddy Walk scheduled for October 2026 at Lake Fairfax, demonstrating sustained community engagement over two decades
• +1 more outcomes

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

Ten partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Community ChurchcoreGTM or Marketing PartnerDiamond Annual Partner for 2026. Community Church provides corporate sponsorship support as a top-tier annual partner, contributing significant funding to DSANV programs and services.
• iCan ShinecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership to deliver iCan Bike and iCan Swim camps in Northern Virginia. iCan Shine provides the nationally recognized curriculum and methodology for teaching people with disabilities to ride bicycles and swim independently. DSANV serves as local host and organizer.
• Rappahannock Miracle LeagueminorGTM or Marketing PartnerDSANV sponsors the Rappahannock Miracle League, an adaptive baseball/softball program for individuals with disabilities in the Fauquier County area.
• Footprints of FairfaxminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCommunity partnership announced in May 2025. Footprints of Fairfax provides services or resources that complement DSANV's mission for individuals with Down syndrome.
• Pietas CoalitionminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership for Community Safety and Vulnerability Prevention Series - a virtual educational session designed to strengthen safety, awareness, and confidence for individuals with Down syndrome and their families.
• Ease (Arlene Lechner and Melissa Hochberg)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCo-founders of Ease provide informational sessions on Consent, Boundaries, Relationships, and Online Safety for individuals with Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities (I/DD).
• The Arc of LoudounminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerHost of the annual Disability Resource Fair where DSANV participates as an exhibitor/vendor to connect with families and individuals seeking disability resources in the community.
• St. Lucy Food ProjectminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerDSANV partners with the St. Lucy Food Project Warehouse for career development programming. Members ages 16+ participate in sorting and boxing food donations as vocational training.
• Reston Bike ClubminorGTM or Marketing PartnerPartnership for the annual Reston Century bike ride event. DSANV joins the 43rd Ken Thompson Reston Century, offering various ride distances from 10 miles to 100 miles for community participation.
• Claritas CreativeminorOthersWebsite design and maintenance partner. Claritas Creative donated website services to DSANV as an in-kind contribution.

Scale indicators1 record

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Broad incumbents

• National Down Syndrome Society (NDSS): The largest national U.S. organization advocating for the Down syndrome community, providing programming, advocacy, and the National Buddy Walk. Directly comparable mission and serves as the national umbrella above regional affiliates like DSANV.
• National Down Syndrome Congress (NDSC): National membership organization for the Down syndrome community, providing education, advocacy, and an annual convention. Comparable mission of lifelong support across age stages.
• Special Olympics: Global organization providing year-round sports training and athletic competition for children and adults with intellectual disabilities. Comparable in athletic programming (Champion Football, Inclusive Martial Arts, fitness classes) and large-scale annual event operations (Buddy Walk / Special Olympics games).
• Global Down Syndrome Foundation: Major Down syndrome research, advocacy, and family support organization. Directly comparable mission focused on improving lives of individuals with Down syndrome through research, medical care, and education.
• The Arc: National organization on intellectual and developmental disabilities (I/DD) with a network of state and local chapters. Comparable in lifespan programming, advocacy, and resource model, but serves the broader I/DD community rather than focusing specifically on Down syndrome.
• Best Buddies International: International nonprofit creating opportunities for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities through one-to-one friendships, integrated employment, and leadership development. Comparable programming emphasis on social inclusion and career development for the I/DD community.

Regional players

• Down Syndrome Guild of Greater Kansas City: Regional Down syndrome association serving the Kansas City metro with education, advocacy, and community programs. Closely comparable regional nonprofit structure and service delivery model to DSANV.

Direct peers

• GiGi's Playhouse: National network of Down syndrome achievement centers offering free therapeutic, educational, and career development programs. Closest comparable operating model to DSANV — location-based program delivery for the Down syndrome community across the lifespan.
• Pietas Coalition: DSANV's existing strategic partner that delivers the Community Safety and Vulnerability Prevention Series. Directly comparable as a mission-aligned I/DD support organization collaborating on educational programming for the Down syndrome community.

Others

• National Disability Rights Network: National membership network of protection and advocacy agencies for people with disabilities. Comparable mission alignment around disability rights and access, though focused on legal advocacy rather than direct service delivery.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks4 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/down-syndrome-association-of-northern-virginia

Compliance2 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles3 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Down Syndrome Association of Northern Virginia